10 best movies of 2022
Ryan’s Honorable Mentions
- What Is a Woman?
- See How They Run
- The Batman
- Facing Nolan
Rob’s Honorable Mentions
- Puss and Boots: The Last Wish
- Hustle
- The Black Phone
- Bullet Train
- Death on the Nile
- The Batman
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ryan's List (black)
Rob's list
(Red)
10. Operation Mincemeat
Based on a wild true story about a daring plan to fool Nazi intelligence and help the Allies invade Sicily; The story shows the level of detail required with intelligence, and the fine margins between success and failure.
10. Prey
A worthy entrant to the Predator series, Prey is about Native American’s first contact with the Predator. The movie succeeds in creating exciting and terrifying moments all while accurately depicting Native American culture.
9. Nope
Noted horror specialist Jordan Peele’s latest movie branches out a bit from traditional horror into suspense/thriller genre. Nope is more accessible to those not inclined toward horror. Its tone and feel is rather similar to A Quiet Place or Signs. Worth checking out.
9. The Bad Guys
The big bad wolf turns good in this surprisingly interesting animated movie that features the excellent Sam Rockwell who always brings flair and a unique style to his roles. I’d recommend this one even if you don’t normally watch animated movies.
8. Glass Onion
Rian Johnson’s second Knives Out mystery returns Daniel Craig as the outlandish detective Benoit Blanc. The Netflix funded sequel doesn’t quite live up to the original, but still provides plenty of fun and intrigue.
8. Glass Onion
It’s a tribute to Daniel Craig’s ability as an actor that you can completely buy into him as James Bond and also Benoit Blanc. Rian Johnson has done an excellent job creating this universe. Glass Onion is good but not quite at the same level as Knives Out.
7. All Quiet on the Western Front
This German-language version of the classic novel by the same name, takes you inside the lives and minds of too-young German kids as they become exposed to the horrors of war for the first time. This movie does a remarkable job creating the realism and horror of warfare, especially the brutal World War 1.
7. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio
This is the best version of Pinocchio. I know that might sound blasphemous but it isn’t. This version is distinctly Guillermo Del Toro in all the best ways and takes the beloved and well known story to different places.
6. Elvis
Elvis is the latest in a long line of expertly done musical biopics. The hook for these movies is always the music, but the power is always learning a side of the character most people didn’t know or don’t remember. That’s what Elvis does well. Auston Butler’s performance is absolutely masterful.
6. The Northman
Subjectively phenomenal, but this movie could be hard for some viewers to watch due to its brutal and unrelenting nature. The aesthetic, the framing, the color pallet are all brutal and I love it, thought it’s certainly not for everyone. Director Robert Eggers is great at establishing a clear vision.
5. The Northman
Not a film for the average movie-goer. The Northman is intense and unforgiving. In fact, at its heart it’s a tragedy about revenge. Director Robert Eggers delivers a visceral and deep-rooted Viking epic that really speaks to that era of history better than almost any film in recent memory.
5. Nope
I love Jordan Peele’s style and his feel for horror. His seamless crossover from comedy to horror continues with this film as he further rises to the top in this genre.
4. Death on the Nile
I love a good murder mystery. While there is something formulaic about the classic Agatha Christie ‘whodunit’ theme, Death on the Nile excels in creating interesting characters; none more so that the the famous detective Hercule Poirot. The story is a bit of a slow burn, but it provides plenty to keep you occupied. The amazing scenery of the Nile delta region doesn’t hurt at all.
4. Top Gun: Maverick
The most impactful movie of the year especially for the box office. This movie really surprised me. It feels like a throwback to a 80s or 90s action movie in all the best ways. This is a movie I could watch anytime.
3. Everything Everywhere All At Once
3. Everything Everywhere All At Once
From start to finish, there are so many moments in this film that make you just go, “what?!” For all it’s paradigm shifting, it’s also very, very funny which was unexpected. It has a Douglas Adams type vibe to it. Expect the unexpected.
2. Bullet Train
2. Elvis
I didn’t go into this movie as an Elvis fan, but I am now. I learned so much about his music and the depth of his lyrics. He’s so much more than the cartoonish figure we knew him as at the end. Auston Butler is incredible in this role. He gives an Oscar worthy performance.
1. Top Gun: Maverick
The question going into this movie was, “Can you go back to a highly popular film 30 years later and create something that both pleases the existing fanbase, and attracts and engages new generations.” Many have tried, few have succeeded. Director Joseph Kosinski has now done it twice. First with Tron: Legacy, and now even more so with Top Gun: Maverick. The movie entertained everyone and made enemies of none. While not a perfect movie, it left everyone who saw it entertained and surprised. That alone is enough to give it top marks for me.
1. The Menu
This movie is right up my alley stylistically. Ralph Finnes is brilliant in this role, making you believe he’s this egotistical, passionate chef whose restaurant only opens once a year. The movie takes a sharp turn about 45 mins in. It’s not a horror movie, but a dark thriller. It does a great job of building tension.
